Kid Made Modern, by Tod Oldham. Book of craft activities for ages 5+

Do-it-yourselfers ages five and up can go retro with enough projects by legendary designer Oldham to fill entire rooms. Taking inspiration from mid-century designers and artists such as Charles and Ray Eames, Marimekko, Alexander Girard and Dorothy Draper, Oldham revisits modernism in the new millennium. Bold, vibrant and kid friendly, these projects provide days of fun for burgeoning modernists.

We made the wonderful Spoon people recently with my 6.5year old and her friend, los of fun, very rewarding, and proud additions to the play room. I love this book!

Oldham, a big name in the fashion and design worlds, brings his enthusiasm for mid-century modernism to kids in this appealing, hip title that is part crafts book, part introduction to design history. In each of the book’s sections, Oldham celebrates well-known designers (George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi, and Ray and Charles Eames, for example) through brief introductions followed by hands-on projects that are entirely kid-friendly, including scarves, paper lanterns, patterned bulletin boards, jewelry, book covers, pillows, and pet accessories. Using everyday materials, from potatoes to bubble wrap to aluminum foil, the activities are explained in clear language; but most young people will still need some adult help to puzzle out all the steps, illustrated in bright color photos that include a cast of multicultural kids. The occasional rhymes in Oldham’s text sometimes fall flat, but his encouraging words about creativity, fun projects, and extensive resource sections will inspire a wide age range to learn more about both the world of design and their own crafty talents. Grades 3-6. --Gillian Engberg.